Leg spasms during the night

Anyone experience severe leg cramps (calf muscle) during the night? I can feel it coming, feel my muscle starting to tighten and I know the pain is coming and then ouch!! The pain comes and it is severe. I've had cramps before, but nothing this painful or severe. I'm in so much pain until the muscle relaxes again and then left with soreness the next day. Any way to stop them? Or is there something I can do once I start to feel the leg muscle tighten to stop it from continuing and hurting so bad? I do massage my leg and stretch it out once it is over with and continue to do leg stretching during the day, but they are still happening and unsure how to stop them. Thanks!